Review Article

Women and men in orthopaedics

¹ Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, 40136 Bologna, Italy
² Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nara Medical University, 634-8521 Nara, Japan
³ Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Nara Medical University, 634-8521 Nara, Japan
⁴ European University of Cyprus, 2404 Nicosia, Cyprus
⁵ First Department of Orthopaedics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, 157 72 Athens, Greece

^* Corresponding author: afm@otenet.gr

Received: 14 February 2021
Accepted: 3 March 2021

Abstract

Purpose: To compare and discuss the gender disparities in the Orthopaedic specialty. Methods: We reviewed the literature to find the rates of women applying for an orthopaedic residency, fellowship, and academic career program, to understand the causes of the disparities in women in orthopaedics, and how this relates to orthopaedic surgical practice. Results: The idea that men and women are different and have different working styles and skills and the belief that males are more dominant and more status-worthy than females leads to gender barriers and stereotypes that restrict women from entering male-dominated specialties. It is important to mention that equivalent barriers restrict men from pursuing female-dominated specialties such as Gynecology. Economic disparities and gender stereotypes that divide medical specialties into masculine and feminine, creating a gender gap in health care are major concerns. However, the number of women in the health sector is expected to increase due to the growing amount of female students that are expected to soon graduate. A leadership gender gap also exists; although women consist of 70% of the health care workforce they occupy only 25% of leadership positions. Conclusion: The existence of gender-based disparities in healthcare is multifactorial. The explanation behind the existence of a so-called gender gap lies in organizational and individual factors. Early development and family relations, the decision between work and life balance, personal choices and interests, as well as working conditions, absence of role models and mentorship and institutional policies make gender disparities even more evident.